Index device



J. H. RAND Oct. 19 1926.

INDEX DEVICE Filed May 17, 1924 Pagers PI.

171116712507"; Ja/wzea' ff Pa/nd/ Patented Oct. 19, 1926 UNETED STATES PATENT *QFFECE.

JAMES H. BAND, NORTH TOITAWANDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO RAND KARDEX CGMPANY, INQ, OF NORTH TUNAVANDA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELA WARE.

INDEX DEVICE.

Application filed May 17, 1924.

This invention relates to visible card index or reference devices of that type in which a series of cards or elements bearing information are arranged in an overlapping series with portions of the several cards or elements exposed to view with relation to each other. More particularly the invention relates to devices of this sort in which the reference cards or elements are retained in sheaths from which the cards may be removed and which are mounted on a supporting frame or member so as to expose margins of the cards or elements and are movable so that one or more of the cards or elements can be moved from behind the adjacent reference card or element to expose them to view.

The object of the invention is to improve devices of this character in the various respects hereinafter described and specified in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of an index constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of a single index element removed from the frame channels.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the back of the supporting frame of usual con struction preferably made of sheet metal and having side flanges 2 and 3. The back of the frame is substantially flat and the flanges 2 and 3 overlap its front face so as to form opposed guide channels.

lVithin the frame a series of index elements are arranged in spaced overlapping relation. Each index element preferably comprises a sheath 4 of resilient sheet material such for example as transparent celluloid. This sheath may be formed by, bending a strip of celluloid to form a rear wall 5, bottom 6 and front wall 7 and the front wall 7 preferably diverges upwardly and forwardly from the plane of the rear wall. The upper edge of the rear wall is bent forwardly and slightly downwardly to form an integral lip or shoulder 8 which by reason of the resiliency of the material tends to contact with or closely approach the inner surface of the front wall 7 as indicated in Fig. 2.

Serial No. 714,046.

Each index element also comprises a reference card 9 whose lower marginal portion is disposed within the sheath 4t bet-ween the edge of the lip 8 and the inner surface of the front Wall 7. In this instance an integral portion of the card 9 adjacent the lower margin is cut out to form a resilient tongue 10 which engages the lip 8 on the sheath to hold the sheath against movement transversel of the lower margin of the card. If desirec, the tongue may be a separate piece fixed to the card adjacent the lower margin and although one tongue is shown on the drawing extending a portion of the length of the card, it will be understood that the number of these tongues may be varied. The interlocking engagement between the lip 8 and tongue 10 prevents the card frombeing accidentally separated from the sheath, so that the card and sheath may be withdrawn. from the supporting frame as a unit.

The several index elements are arranged in the frame with the ends of the sheaths 4: extending beyond the ends of the cards to engage the channels behind the flanges 2 and 3 respectively. As thus disposed the bottom 6 of each sheath or rail 4: rests upon the shoulder or lip 8 of the sheath or rail next below and the shoulders provide stops which prevent the rails from slipping past one another. The rear wall 5 of each sheath rests against the flat forward face of the back 1 of the frame while the forward wall 7 of each sheath inclines upwardly and forwardly. As the card 9 is held firmly in engagement with the inner surface of the forward wall 7 of the corresponding sheath by the inherent resiliency of the lip 8, the cards are held in planes which are forwardly and upwardly inclined.

The upper marginal edges of the cards 9 project one beyond another and may be provided with any suitable distinguishing characteristics or indicia in accordance with the subject matter of the index. The entry or memorandum upon any card may be read by outwardly flexing the overlapping cards or by sliding it upwardly in the frame together with the cards above it, and when it is moved down to restore it to normal position in the frame it telescopes freely behind the other cards by reason of the forward inclination of the latter which prevents the moving card from catching upon the upper edges of the card below. 7 The arrangement described also results in aslight separation of the upper edge portions of the cards so that a card may be readily grasped as desired.

Although the cards are shown inclined up..- wardly in the frame, it Will be understood that the index elements may be inverted so that the cards incline downwardly because each card is held in interlocking relation with the sheath l by means of the tongue 10 and hp 8 and cannot be accidentally separated therefrom.

I claim: I

1. An index holder comprising a card and a sheath fittiiig'over a margin of the card, the card having a cut-out tongu interlocking with the sheath to hold the sheath against jnioven' eiit transversely of said mar gin, said tongue having "a free edge abutting and positively engaging \Vitll said sheath.

2. An index holder comprising a sheath, a card having a marginal portion fitting into the sheath andan integral tongue adjacent said marginal portion of the card and extending only a portion of the length thereof'having a free edge abutting and positively engaging the sheath to prevent accidental separation therefrom.

3. An index holder comprising a transparent sheathof sheetcelluloid having front and rear Walls united along one longiti'idinal edge, the free edge of the rear Wall being bent to form a lip and an index card having portion interposed between the walls of the sheath, said card having a cutout tongue interlookin'o, ivith saild lip for preventing accidental separation'ot the parts.

iinfindex holder comprising a sheath having -front andrrear Walls united along one longitudinal edge, the free edge of one of said wallsb e ing bent to form a lip, and an index card having .a portion interposed between the walls of the sheath, said o'a'rd having a cut-out tongue i.=L'erlocl ii1g With said lip for preventing aceid'ental separation of the parts.

Signed by meat Boston, Massachusetts, this 16th dayof May,

JAMES 'H, RAND. 

